An expanding telecommunications technology now makes it possible to perform typesetting operations at home using a relatively inexpensive home computer as an input terminal. This offers an opportunity for older persons, particularly those who lack transportation or physical mobility, to be gainfully employed at home as typesetters or word processors in other business-related contexts. However, current training materials for word processing are oriented toward younger, computer-literate adults rather than older adults. Older adults may not be able to work as word processors unless training materials for middle-aged and older adults are developed. Such training materials require data on the unique problems and assets that older persons have with typesetting. Unfortunately, systematic data do not exist.The Phase I effort will evaluate age-related differences in ability to use current instructional materials and to learn word processing. Difficulties with instructional materials will be related to difficulties with certain input and editing operations in word processing, particularly those with typesetting applications.In Phase II, this information will be used to construct age-valid instructional materials that will be evaluated for comprehension and performance. The commercial availability of these materials should enhance productivity in private industry and government, while providing older persons with an equal opportunity to participate in an important new industry.National Institute On Aging
